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Treatment

Proper treatment
can prevent long-term complications or problems with your elbow. Treatment will depend on how serious the fracture is, but may include:

Initial Care

A cast, splint, or sling may needed to protect, support, and keep your elbow in line while it heals.

Some fractures cause pieces of bone to separate. These pieces will need to be put back into their proper place. This may be done:

Without surgery—you will have anesthesia to decrease pain while the doctor moves the pieces back into place

With surgery—pins, wires, plates, screws, or stitches in the bone or tendons may be needed to reconnect the pieces and hold them in place

Children’s bones are still growing at an area of the bone called the growth plate. If the fracture affected the growth plate, your child may need to see a specialist. Injuries to the growth plate will need to be monitored to make sure the bone can continue to grow as expected.

Medication

Prescription or over-the-counter medications may be given to help reduce inflammation and pain.

Medications may include acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Check with your doctor before taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or aspirin.

Note:
Aspirin is not recommended for children with a current or recent viral infection. Check with your doctor before giving your child aspirin.

Rest and Recovery

Healing time varies by age and your overall health. Children and people in better overall health heal faster. In general, it takes up to 8-10 weeks for a fractured elbow to heal.

You will need to adjust your activities while your elbow heals, but complete rest is rarely required. Ice and elevating your arm at rest may also be advised to help with discomfort and swelling.

As you recover, you may be referred to physical therapy or rehabilitation to start range-of-motion and
strengthening
exercises.
Do not return to activities or sports until your doctor gives you permission to do so.

Prevention

To help reduce your chance of getting an elbow fracture, take these steps:

Do not put yourself at risk for a trauma to the elbow.

Exercise regularly to maintain strength, agility, and to prevent falls.

Learn the proper technique and wear protective equipment for exercise and sporting activities.

To help reduce falling hazards at work and home, take these steps:

Clean spills and slippery areas right away.

Remove tripping hazards such as loose cords, rugs, and clutter.

Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and shower.

Install grab bars next to the toilet and in the shower or tub.

Put in handrails on both sides of stairways.

Walk only in well-lit rooms, stairs, and halls.

Keep flashlights on hand in case of a power outage.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

What are ways to prevent falls and related fractures?
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at:
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health%5FInfo/Bone/Osteoporosis/Fracture/prevent%5Ffalls%5Fff.asp.
Updated January 2011. Accessed September 23, 2014.